ENVIRONMENTAL Management Authority (EMA) has okayed the multi-million dollar re-development of Warren Hills Golf Club to a world class multi-use golf complex after issuing out an environmental impact assessment (EIA) report.
According to the re-development plan, Warren Hills is set to be developed into a golf complex with enhanced water features, with a driving range added to it as well as a state-of-the-art clubhouse facility.
The re-development of the golf club is being undertaken by Sunshine Developments Private Limited, a public-private partnership (PPP) between Augur Investments and Harare City Council (HCC). In an interview last week, EMA communications director Amkela Sidanke told the Daily News that the Warren Hills project got EMA’s nod to commence re-development work.
“The Warren Hills project has since been granted an EIA after a rigorous process, but what is critical to note is that the EIA has specific stringent conditions, among such conditions is that no construction of infrastructure on wetland areas,” he said. Sunshine Developments board chairperson Ken Sharpe said the agreement to re-develop Warren Hills was brokered 14 years ago.
“After agreeing with the Harare City Council, we discovered that there were a host of licences to be acquired before we take up the redevelopment. Also, we discovered we had to get a few other permits from EMA. “We are now in the development stage for the golf course. It will remain an 18 hole golf course
and there will be a driving range added to it as well as a clubhouse and facility.
“The golf course will remain, it’s a well-known golf course. Many golfers in Zimbabwe have played golf on it. “In fact, one of our famous golfers, Nick Price, learned to play golf in that place. “So there is no need for us to get rid of the golf course, we must continue with the golf course because it’s part of the community social benefits of Mabelreign and Harare west.”
Sharpe said works to re-develop the sports club would start with the erection of a perimeter wall to safe keep the property. He said this would happen in the first quarter of the year. “We have engaged a wellknown regional golf course designer, Peter Markovic, who has designed seven of the top 10 golf courses in Africa.
“He came two years ago looking for the owners of the place and he has done some design presentations to us. “We are in the stages of finalising agreements with him, and will then revamp the golf course to make it more beautiful. “There is no exact figure to be injected as yet, but it would be in excess of US$3 million” he added.